WWE No Mercy 2017: B/R Expert Match Picks, Predictions and Analysis

WWE No Mercy is supposed to be a mid-level pay-per-view, but with the card management has put together, we could be in for one of the best shows of the year on Sunday.

Here is a rundown of the card, according to WWE.com:

• Neville vs. Enzo Amore (Cruiserweight Championship)
• Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt
• Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley vs. Emma (Raw Women's Championship)
• Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro and Sheamus (Raw Tag Team Championships)
• The Miz vs. Jason Jordan (Intercontinental Championship)
• John Cena vs. Roman Reigns
• Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman (Universal Championship)

Bleacher Report's lineup of writers will go through each feud and provide predictions for No Mercy's matches. Our group is made up of the following:

• Anthony Mango (AM) (@ToeKneeManGo).
• Kevin Berge (KB) (@TheBerge_).
• Jeff Johnson (JJ) (@JeffJSays).
• Erik Beaston (EB) (@ErikBeaston).
• James Moffat (JM) (@JamesMoffat).
• Ryan Dilbert (RD) (@RyanDilbert).
• Yours truly (CM) (@BR_Doctor).

The Miz vs. Jason Jordan (IC Title)

Q: Jordan's singles run has been met with a lukewarm response from fans and critics. What can WWE do to make him the star it seemingly wants him to be?

EB: It looked like management had figured it out by booking him in competitive matches against Roman Reigns and John Cena. Instead, it overexposed him again on the most recent episode of Raw, and the fans reacted with apathy. As long as that pattern continues, he will not be salvageable.

Prediction: The Miz.

AM: All it takes is the right storyline and the right players in a feud to get someone over. As much as I like The Miz holding the title, it might be a good idea to put the belt on Jason Jordan and have him slowly start to turn heel where the Intercontinental Championship goes to his head so the fans can start to boo him if he isn't able to get over as a squeaky-clean babyface like he's trying to right now.

Prediction: More than anything on this card, I can't quite decide, but I just flipped a coin and it came up with Jordan winning.

JJ: Put him in a feud that brings the best out of him. Jordan is a rising star in the ring but needs a proper foil to elevate his character. The Miz is a good start, so they should stay the course.

Prediction: The Miz retains via Miztourage interference.

KB: Jordan was thrust into a spotlight he wasn't ready for, and he had to quickly be pushed back and rebuilt. I think WWE has done a good job rebranding him with his competitive matches against top guys, particularly his bouts with Cena and Reigns. He could become the star WWE wants him to be by improving his weaknesses while continuing to put on great shows in the ring when he has the chance.

Prediction: Jordan wins with the help of The Hardy Boyz.

CM: Unlike what WWE did with Reigns and Cena, WWE should listen to the boos and turn him heel. Having him play an entitled technician who can back up what he says in the ring with great performances could get him a massive amount of heat.

Prediction: Jordan wins the IC title.

JM: Stay the course. Just provide the story. Jordan's run isn't so bad. WWE is putting him in bigger spots with top-notch talent such as Reigns, Cena and The Miz. Continued exposure is a good thing, but let's have Kurt Angle come out and say, "I'm putting you in these spots to groom you." It's implied, but having that story front and center would help.

Prediction: The Miz retains, whether by pinfall or shenanigans.

RD: For one, keep letting him wrestle big names and show off his skills. He's produced in the ring thus far. A heel turn that reprises some elements of Rocky Maivia's shift into villainy wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

Prediction: Jordan wins and claims the IC title.

Neville vs. Enzo Amore (Cruiserweight Championship)

Q: Amore is different from every other cruiserweight in the division because his strength is in his mic work, not his wrestling ability. After Neville, who would be the best option to feud with Enzo and why?

EB: Drew Gulak, whose work on 205 Live has been underrated and fun. He could also work a quality match with Enzo Amore, grounding and stretching him and setting up a fiery babyface comeback. The Brian Kendrick would be a distant third.

Prediction: Neville.

AM: Enzo has a variety of options ahead of him like Noam Dar, Ariya Daivari and TJP, but the person who should have the biggest bone to pick with him and could work the best feud is Kendrick. Where Jack Gallagher comes into the mix with that feud would be interesting too. And now he's a heel, Enzo could dig into both of them in his promos.

Prediction: Neville retains the title.

JJ: I would choose TJP. His charisma can match Enzo's, and their affinity for pop culture makes them an excellent match.

Prediction: The King of the Cruiserweights retains the title.

KB: Assuming he's finished his feud with Rich Swann by that time, TJP would make perfect sense to work with Enzo because the two complement each other's weaknesses. TJP is a fantastic wrestler who is only a fine talker, while Enzo is a fantastic talker who is an average wrestler. Hopefully, having the two interact would help them improve where they are weaker. Plus TJP's brutality should mix well with Enzo's ragdoll style.

Prediction: Neville survives a ferocious comeback from Enzo and wins.

CM: Kendrick is one of the few people on 205 Live who has the mic skills to match Enzo's. He is also good enough in the ring to help mask Enzo's shortcomings, so he would make the Certified G look even better.

Prediction: Amore wins thanks to interference from one of Neville's past rivals.

JM: Enzo vs. Kendrick or Gallagher would be good since both men could conceivably carry an inferior Enzo through a program inside the ropes. Plus, both men are good enough characters to stand up to Amore's verbal lashings.

Prediction: Neville submits Enzo to retain the cruiserweight title.

RD: Gallagher. With such vastly different characters, their interactions would be mighty intriguing. Plus, The Extraordinary Gentleman could play ring general and lead the way for Amore in series of slugfests.

Prediction: WWE completes the push and Amore wins the title.

Bonus Question No. 1

Q: Asuka is coming to Raw with her undefeated streak intact. When she eventually loses, who would you like to see beat her and why?

EB: Does she have to lose? If so, it would be nice to have her first defeat come at the hands of someone who could use it as a springboard to bigger and better things. The two best options? Nia Jax or Emma, the latter being the most underrated and underutilized member of the women's division. Let one of them channel the momentum of that victory into a sustainable push rather than giving that honor to Alexa Bliss, Sasha Banks or Bayley, all of whom are made women in today's WWE.

AM: I feel like it needs to be Ember Moon. She wasn't able to dethrone Asuka in NXT and arguably deserved the honor, so if The Empress of Tomorrow can keep her undefeated streak going long enough so Moon can come up to the main roster and fulfill her destiny, that would be more beneficial than just giving the honor to someone who doesn't need it, like Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax or Bayley.

JJ: No one on the Raw roster. She's beaten the best and sent them out of NXT, so she should terrorize the brand until draft day. Then maybe we could get a viable opponent for her like Charlotte, Naomi or maybe someone from NXT.

KB: I would hope she remains undefeated for a while, long enough so the Raw roster changes once more. No one comes off as a better match for Asuka than Becky Lynch, who has a similar technical style. Lynch defeating Asuka would be a huge moment for the least promoted member of the Four Horsewomen, and she should be able to carry that momentum better than just about anyone else.

CM: The only good option would be Jax. She has gotten so much better since Asuka beat her in NXT, and WWE clearly wants to build her into one of the division's most dangerous stars. If not her, then it should be someone she has never faced before like Charlotte, who is unfortunately on SmackDown at the moment.

JM: There's not a woman on the main roster—Raw or SmackDown—who should put a blemish on Asuka's record. She should come to the main roster, kick butt and become the next women's champion. The only scenario wherein Asuka should lose should be a Money in the Bank cash-in, where the defeat would mean something, and that's not happening anytime soon.

RD: Her first loss should be a big deal, something that comes at WrestleMania or SummerSlam. Charlotte makes sense as the one to do it as the biggest star, but it sure would elevate someone like Lynch's career in a major way.

Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro and Sheamus (Tag Titles)

Q: How would you rate the reunited Rollins and Ambrose as a tag team compared to the rest of the Raw roster?

EB: Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose definitely bring an energy to the division not even The Hardy Boyz could earlier this year. With that said, they rate behind Matt and Jeff, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows and The Bar in terms of a quality, sustainable tandem. At the end of the day, they still feel like two main event stars playing tag team.

Prediction: Ambrose and Rollins.

AM: There's an element of fun to their reunion that no other team on the roster can tap into, save for The Hardy Boyz, who already had their run. Ambrose and Rollins aren't turning the division around with revolutionary segments or anything, but they are clearly the top dogs and a refreshing addition to the roster.

Prediction: Rollins and Ambrose retain.

JJ: I think they are a solid team. Teaming Rollins and Ambrose bolstered the tag division and generates interest for future feuds.

Prediction: The Bar wins the tag titles.

KB: Rollins and Ambrose have clearly taken to their new role and been putting on great matches thanks to their newly returned fire. They are not quite as fantastic as Cesaro and Sheamus, but they are vital to the division in a way no one else is. They are the biggest stars and push the rest of the division to improve.

Prediction: Rollins and Ambrose win and move on to a feud with Gallows and Anderson.

CM: Their reunion feels poorly timed. It would have been better to wait until 2018 to reunite the entire Shield stable for a short time, but there is no doubt Rollins and Ambrose are fun to watch and can produce great matches with anyone. They are a top-two team for sure.

Prediction: Rollins and Ambrose retain.

JM: The Rollins-Ambrose tandem, if WWE keeps them together, could be one of the best tag teams the company has put together in a number of years. They are the class of the tag division and on par with The Miz (in terms of brand standing) as titleholders. Unfortunately, both Superstars are so strong as individuals that a break-up is inevitable, probably sooner rather than later.

Prediction: Rollins and Ambrose win to retain their titles.

RD: They have been one of the more engaging acts in terms of in-ring action of late. But their story hasn't been nearly as electric since they reunited. More focus on their characters would change that in a hurry.

Prediction: Rollins and Ambrose retain.

John Cena vs. Roman Reigns

Q: This feud got personal right away. What do you think of WWE integrating real-life drama into their promos? Has it been taken too far, or did it make their feud more interesting?

EB: There is a fine line when it comes to interjecting real-life drama into storylines, and unfortunately, WWE crossed it with the reference to Reigns' failed drug test. Knocking on each other's promos or poking fun at professional follies is fine. Taking a shot at a personal failure for the sake of selling a pay-per-view match that had plenty of heat behind it before then is not.

Prediction: Reigns.

AM: If Reigns and Cena had simply cut manufactured "sufferin' succotash" promos, it would have been horrendous. Blurring the line between reality and kayfabe is an easy way to get people talking about whether they really hate each other, which steps up the anticipation, so it's definitely a smart move.

Prediction: Reigns is victorious and earns Cena's respect. But the crowd wants nothing to do with any of that, so WWE ends up back in the same position it's been in for years.

JJ: When wrestlers get personal, it piques interest in the feuds. Cena is a generational talent who has years of material for Reigns to feast on. WWE is built on life imitating art, so this is par for the course and great for the fans.

Prediction: Roman wins, and Cena goes to Hollywood until the Rumble.

KB: It all matters what the endgame is for the feud. Cena has repeatedly struck out at Reigns and highlighted his weaknesses in and out of the ring, which feels malicious. However, it will all have been perfect if Cena can naturally change his view of Reigns over time without it coming off as a sudden dramatic flip.

Prediction: Reigns defeats Cena to send him off to Hollywood once more.

CM: It depends on who had the idea to bring up the drug test. If Reigns pitched it because he knew it would get a big reaction, then I am all for it. Otherwise, it seems like an unnecessary cheap shot. Everything else has been great during their battles on the mic. Also, this match will get no fewer than two "this is awesome" chants despite both men being booed on their way to the ring.

Prediction: Reigns wins, and Cena leaves to make another Transformers movie nobody asked for.

JM: WWE allowing real-life criticisms to filter into their promos was the best possible move, as it not only made for intriguing television, but it also cut off the doubters and the haters before they could armchair quarterback the feud. Now everyone can focus on the match and not the meaning behind the buildup.

Prediction: I think this one ends in a no-contest, giving both men an out and allowing the feud to continue at some point.

RD: Their reality-tinged promos have sure made Reigns and Cena the center of conversation. There's been a real sense of animosity built up in a short time, and going toe-to-toe with Cena has forced Reigns to step up his game.

Prediction: Reigns wins clean.

Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt

Q: Despite winning the WWE title, Bray Wyatt has been floundering for years. Would he benefit from reforming the original Wyatt Family, or is he a lost cause? If the latter, why?

EB: Is it better that Bray Wyatt loses with backup or on his own? He has been proved a false prophet for so long there is just no helping him as it stands. What he needs is to disappear for a while and return rejuvenated, with a string of victories that prove his rambling promos correct.

Prediction: Balor.

AM: The problem with Wyatt isn't so much that he needs minions by his side but that, for all the talk of keeping his character fresh, he hasn't done anything to change things up. Wyatt has cut the same basic promo every single week for years, and by now, you either love it and can't get enough or you're sick and tired and want to see something new, which he doesn't seem to be ready, willing or able to do.

Prediction: Balor wins unless WWE wants to drag this out to TLC.

JJ: Wyatt still has immense value. He just needs unwavering support. His character exists in a perpetual purgatory of relevance where his authenticity gets undermined at the worst possible times. He needs a stable that remains stable and effective feuds wherein we truly believe he's a major contender. Not putting Bo Dallas in The Wyatt Family remains an egregious misstep.

Prediction: Balor.

KB: I don't think Wyatt has ever been better off for having The Wyatt Family at his side. He just needs to be placed in stories that build him up rather than his opponent, and that happened more often when he had big monsters behind him to help him win. He could still succeed in WWE simply by ending up on the winning side in his feuds more often.

Prediction: Wyatt defeats Balor with cheap tactics because Balor does not bring The Demon.

CM: Wyatt was a breath of fresh air when he first showed up, but his act is wearing thin. It's time to try him out as a babyface, which WWE should have done when he was getting bigger pops than his heroic opponents last year. A stable won't help him unless he is winning, which he never seems to do anymore.

Prediction: Balor wins again.

JM: Quite frankly, Wyatt is a lost cause. Reforming The Wyatt Family would provide little incentive for fans to get behind the Superstar. He needs to be repackaged, potentially as a "down with the machine" face who stands up to WWE corporate. Seeing Bray as the leader of NXT's Sanity with Eric Young as his general would be a good avenue to explore.

Prediction: Finn Balor prevails.

RD: Some serious reimagining is required with Wyatt. As is some commitment from the booking team. He's a hugely talented guy who has been yanked around for too long.

Prediction: Balor wins.

Bonus Question No. 2

Q: If you were in charge, which Superstar or team would you bring up from NXT next, and who would you have them feud with?

EB: The only place for a newcomer to debut and make an immediate impact in a relatively high-profile manner would be in the women's division thanks to a logjam of talent on both brands. With that said, I would bring up Ember Moon and pair her with Natalya. The two could tear the women's division up on Tuesday nights, while prospective matches with Charlotte, Lynch and Naomi would be great fun.

AM: While there are plenty of men and women who could come up like Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, No Way Jose, Moon and Aleister Black, I would probably choose The Authors of Pain. Putting them in the title hunt immediately would be too fast, so I'd start a feud between them and The Ascension to start building them up toward The New Day.

JJ: The next Superstar would be Aleister Black, and I'd have him immediately feud with Baron Corbin or The Miz. Something entertaining to jumpstart his main-roster career.

KB: There are so many names I want to say, but there is one division on both brands that needs more help than any other: the tag team division. The Authors of Pain are finishing up their story in NXT and are more than ready to arrive and dominate the main roster. Personally, I would have them debut as Breezango's mystery assailants and feud with the eccentric underdogs, taking them apart before setting their sights on the championships.

CM: Sanity. The unorthodox stable has been nothing short of awesome in NXT. WWE needs a group like this to shake things up on the main roster. Nikki Cross would be an amazing addition to either women's division while Dain and Wolfe pursue tag gold and Young goes after the IC or U.S. title. We haven't seen a group dominate WWE since The Shield, so it would be nice to have a stable run roughshod over everyone again.

JM: While not technically on the NXT roster, Pete Dunne arriving to battle Finn Balor is a tantalizing as hell. If we're being sticklers, then I would have to say the newly signed Adam Cole vs. AJ Styles would be very satisfying.

RD: Aleister Black is such an obvious star in the making. He would flourish against a number of opponents, but his smashmouth style would make him a tremendous match for Samoa Joe.

Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax vs. Bayley vs. Emma (Women's Title)

Q: Based solely on personal opinion, who do you want to see leave No Mercy as women's champion, and why?

EB: Jax. She has had the tools to be a force of nature for a long time but has constantly been put into title contention, only to lose when the lights are brightest. Pay her story off, let her win the championship that would provide her credibility and build her into the immovable object for Asuka to test herself against upon her debut.

Prediction: Bliss.

AM: Bliss is my favorite woman in the entire WWE, no matter what roster we're talking about, so I'm definitely rooting for her. Not only do I think she's the most overall entertaining, but I also think she's the best person to drop the belt to Asuka once she's ready to go.

Prediction: Bliss retains—for now.

JJ: Jax. It's time we had a truly dominant champion who seems impossible to overcome. Jax, booked similarly to Strowman, would exponentially ascend as a premier WWE attraction. It worked for Chyna and Beth Phoenix, so why not her?

Prediction: Jax becomes the new WWE Raw women's champ!

KB: I am pulling for Jax, who has been the best part of the division over the past few months and would be the perfect monster heel to carry the championship. Her dominance and dangerous edge have been so well-established, and she has been putting on strong long matches consistently without getting the PPV spotlight.

Prediction: Bliss defeats everyone by stealing a pinfall on Emma.

CM: Emma, mainly because it would be unpredictable and overdue. She is a valuable talent who has been overshadowed for too long by those who followed her up from NXT. Her first run with Santino Marella ruined her for some fans, but she can be a great heel champion if booked right.

Prediction: Emma shocks the world and walks out with the title.

JM: There isn't a better person to be champ than the current one—the Goddess of WWE, Bliss. Just as Charlotte was the total package during her time as champion, Bliss is the best Superstar to keep the title. She's a top-notch performer with everyone in the division, and she wouldn't be pigeonholed into stories like Bayley or Sasha would (and, frankly, have been).

Prediction: Jax claims the WWE Women's Championship at No Mercy.

RD: It would be fun to see a hyper-arrogant Emma saunter into Raw with the gold in hand. I've been pulling for her since her retooling in NXT a few years back.

Prediction: Bliss survives and remains champ.

Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman (Universal Title)

Q: Should WWE have saved this massive showdown for a bigger event, or is it smarter to use their momentum to elevate a mid-level pay-per-view?

EB: WWE is smart for using this match to headline one of its B-level shows during NFL season. Rather than accepting it is going to get its butt kicked by football, WWE Creative is taking the initiative and presenting a can't-miss pay-per-view main event to counteract the mighty league. A smart move from a company whose meek approach to programming last year was embarrassing.

Prediction: Lesnar.

AM: This should have been Lesnar's match at WrestleMania 34, but if WWE is so dead set on having Lesnar vs. Reigns happen no matter what, it might as well do it at a B-level event. The Royal Rumble and Survivor Series can sell themselves without needing a giant match like this, whereas No Mercy could use the bump. It's just a shame WWE won't budge from this Reigns vs. Lesnar contest.

Prediction: Lesnar isn't dropping the belt until WrestleMania.

JJ: The time to capitalize on Strowman is now. Would this have been excellent for WrestleMania? Sure. We can't deny, however, that Strowman is a megastar and that it's time to elevate him to the cosmos. Some of WWE's great moments occurred on B-level PPVs and special events, so this is no different.

Prediction: The Monster defeats The Beast.

KB: I hate how the WWE has built up this show as it is relying on the two top bouts to carry the card by not giving the other matches the spotlight they deserve. If anyone is going to topple Lesnar, it should be Strowman, but he's not going to do it on a B-level show. Thus, this is just a waste of a match to get people watching the secondary event.

Prediction: Lesnar manages to take down Strowman with an F5.

CM: I am all for elevating a smaller event with a huge match like this, but we don't need to be reminded every 20 minutes how this is a WrestleMania-caliber main event. Saying that over and over makes it seem like no other event is worthy of hosting a contest like this when the company should be trying to convey how every PPV is important.

Prediction: Just to be that guy, Strowman wins the title.

JM: I think WWE struck while the iron was hot and made a good decision. Delaying a Lesnar-Strowman feud after what transpired at SummerSlam would have felt incomplete, and any universal title bout would have felt like a placeholder. Pitting these two against one another as soon as possible was the best decision, pay-per-view schedule be damned.

Prediction: Lesnar prevails.

RD: This is definitely a match worthy of WrestleMania, but booking it here has made No Mercy huge. It's good to spread around the money bouts to a degree.

Prediction: Lesnar wins.